No matter how expensive your roof was, or how high the quality of materials used to build it, wear and tear that cause roof leaks are one of those things in life that are inevitable. If you’re currently watching water drip into a bucket inside your house, you’re not alone. We’ve all had a leaky roof at some point in our lives!
The bad news is that now you’ve got a problem to fix, and time isn’t on your side. Roof leaks have a way of sneaking up on you and showing their damage once things have gotten pretty serious. Not to mention how expensive the damage to the roof can cost you.
At RoofCrafters, we have over 28 years of experience in providing our clients with not only top-quality roof repairs, but peace of mind knowing their roof is mended back to its original quality without breaking the bank. We know how pesky these little things can be, so don’t let it evolve into a bigger problem, and instead schedule an inspection now.
So, how much is this going to cost me? There’s no simple answer to this question, so the experts here at RoofCrafters have written this article to better help you understand roof repair costs. In this article, you’re going to learn on average how much it costs to repair a leaky roof, how long you can wait to repair your roof, and how to prevent roof leaks. Let’s jump right in!
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaky Roof?
It is important to understand what type of roof you have before understanding the cost of repair. Broadly, there are two types of roofs which are known as low-slope roofs and steep roofs.
The expenses incurred during roof repairs greatly depend on the material used. The square footage and the time required to fix it. will impact the cost as well.
Roofs are of different materials such as:
Asphalt shingles- Wood shakes
- Tile
- Slate
- Metal
- Built-up roofing
- Single-ply membranes
- Modified bitumen
Each material has a different installation and repair cost; The type of material on your home and the condition of that material, the difficulty or how steep is the roof, and the complexity are the main factors that change the cost to repair your leaky roof. Does that make sense?
The most common material used in residential homes is asphalt shingles. Here is a shortlist of the most common things roofing companies deal with that cause a leaky roof on these asphalt shingle roofs and the average cost to make the roof repair needed to stop the leak.
- Leaky pipe collars or pipe flashing around your plumbing pipes or other pipe vent penetrations.
The average cost to repair is $750 to $1,250 - Leaky valleys or roof pitch transitions.
The average cost to repair is $1,425 to $2,800 - Leaky chimneys or skylights.
The average cost to repair is $1,650 to $3,800 - Leaky roof-to-wall flashings.
The average cost to repair is $1,550 to $3,350 - Leaky roof due to improper nailing during the original installation.
The average cost to repair this could be as low as $550 if it is minor damage. Typically these have low nails or nails backing out through the face of the shingles. Or in the worse case, this can cost whatever a complete roof replacement would be for your home. Unfortunately, we have had to do this on several homes.
How Old Is Your Roof?
Age is an important factor when conducting roof repairs. No matter how well-maintained your roof is, it has a limited lifespan. Although frequent maintenance can prolong a roof’s lifespan, you should prepare to have it replaced as it is nearing the end of its expected lifespan.
Replacing your roof on time saves you from the risks of water damage to your home and belongings. Make sure to do your homework and choose a professional roofer because your roof is one of your home’s most important parts, and amateurs can cost you more money in the long run.
It is unwise for you to conduct repairs on a 15-20-year-old asphalt shingle roof. Most insurance companies offer limited or no coverage for an old roof, so often you’re better off replacing it. While the short-term costs of a replacement may seem high, you won’t need to worry about repair costs and will be protected for many years to come. A new roof will give you greater peace of mind, and depending on the material; it might last longer than the one you replaced.
How Much Damage Can a Leaking Roof Cause?
Many people think that fixing or replacing a leaky roof is too much of an upfront investment; however, this is a short-termed approach to the problem. Left untended, a leaky roof result in water seeping through the roof, damaging attic insulation, and insulation in the walls. And then reaching your house’s foundation in extreme cases.
Not conducting timely repairs can lead to different areas of your house needing repair or replacement, which can rack up a hefty sum of money. Besides that, a leaking roof affects your building’s structural integrity, potentially resulting in it collapsing and causing damage to life and property. Remember that insurance does not cover damage due to negligence, so you may lose some of your personal belongings in such instances.
Let’s dial it back to the more common consequences of leaky roofs. Your furniture and electronics are exposed to water and the external environment more, and this water can cause mold to grow. With so many downsides to avoiding roof repairs, the best practice is to contact a professional roofer at the earliest you find the leak to avoid more long-term expenses.
How Long Can You Leave a Leaking Roof?
Always remember that the faster you address a problem, the better it is. As soon as you deal with any urgent problems to reduce damage to your home or personal belongings, call up a roofing contractor immediately. At times, your roofing contractor might not be available for repairing your roof on the same day, so in the meantime, you should ask that they take measures to prevent further damage until the work can be scheduled. Often installing a large tarp over the affected area where it is leaking will help mitigate any further damages.
Can You Prevent Roof Leaks?
While you can prevent most roof leaks, in some instances, they are unavoidable. Frequent inspections are an excellent way to diagnose potential problems and address them before they happen. Ideally, you should call a roofer twice a year to check for any roof damage, and you should conduct self-checks routinely to see if anything is missing or looks out of place visually. It is possible that strong winds blew off some of your roof shingles while you were away, making them prone to leaks. Ensure that you call a professional roofing contractor as soon as you notice any roof storm damage-related problems or maintenance issues that need to be fixed.
Can I Afford to Fix My Leaky Roof?
Of course, you can! Your budget should always be important when it comes to any big home improvement project. Any reputable roofing company will allow you to finance your roof repair if you don’t have the funds available to pay in full right away.
Obviously, roof leaks are a pain to deal with. They’re untimely, expensive, and cause damage to your home. Roof leaks are all of these things and more, but that doesn’t mean you have to let the cost of their repairs cause you stress. Let’s face it, life is already stressful enough without things going wrong, schedule an appointment with RoofCrafters to get that leaky roof fixed as quickly as possible.
